‘Shallowing’ your pouch

In my attempts in encouraging DIY, I find that many have made a pouch too deep, thinking that more fabric is better? Where babywearing with pouches is concerned, please note that more is most of the time NOT GOOD…

In terms having more fabric lengthwise, you’ll end up having a pouch too big that’s killing your back…

And, when we talk about having more fabric widthwise (anything more than 23″, in my opinion), you’ll have a pouch too deep and this is especially not good when we are talking about wearing newborns.

Many of you will find that, even with a ready made sling purchased from a vendor, the pouch could still be too deep for your newborn or too deep for your liking.

Here’s what I’ve put together in ’shallowing’ your pouch – the easy, no sew way. More of for times when you need it that way for certain stages… If you need it to be permanently shallower, you’ll need to be able to sew, makes sense? Also, read M’liss Stelzer’s article on correct positioning.

Ok, here goes…. The first two pictures gives you the measurement of a ready made pouch, unfolded and folded…

Lie the pouch flat on the floor (with practice, you don’t need to lie is flat… you can just fold it holding it up )

Depending on how shallow you want it to be, fold the edges back accordingly. Here, I am folding it back by about 2 inches on each side…

With both sides folded, this is how it would look:

Folded before you put on, it looks like this:
As you can see, the measurement now is only an 8 inches deep pouch as opposed to the 10 inches deep pouch that we started with

If you don’t like how the ‘other side’ is showing, you can always fold it inwards… but bear in mind that the folded fabric might get into your little one’s way especially when we talk about newborns in the cradle carry position :

~Jess T.

Ring Sling – Accordian style shoulder

This was a special request from a special friend, namely a team member of Malaysian Babywearers

She provided the fabric and specified the shoulder style she would like… just because this is not available for sale in Malaysia and it would cost a bundle to get in from where these kind of shoulder style is sold.

So, yes, I did it for her

Would love to post actions shots of this but I am just not into using someone’s stuff before asking for permission. Probably wait for her to give me some?

Would you like to make one for yourself or for a friend? Click the link below for instructions.

Please read the note and please respect the owner’s rights to the instructions. They are put up to make babywearing affordable, so, please don’t make them take these instructions away.

 

~Jess

WARNING! These rings COULD BREAK!

Some of you may have come across these rings. They are sold at sewing shops and are known to be used a sling rings by Indonesians. Indeed, in encouraging DIY ring sling (a more affordable choice to many), I did help people buy these rings, too. They are very affordable at RM5 per pair. Still great for those new to babywearing and wishing to try out ring sling options but certainly not for long-term use.

 

Though I have cautioned people of the possibility of them breaking, there is now one confirmed incident that a ring did break! This is why we do not encourage the use of anything that is has an obvious joint (if you have not seen one of these… they DO NOT have an obvious joint and are known to be used for slings!)!

 

If this can break, NEVER use craft rings… or curtain rings… or rattan rings…

 

While what you see in the picture will still be a much more afforadable option, especially if you are just trying out wearing a baby, if you are keen, you should just get Sling Rings (www.slingrings.com). Sling Rings has been tried and tested for safety and Peekaroobaby is now carrying them on behalf of Malaysian Babywearers.

~Jess